Hello, I'm Brandy Agerbeck.
Since 1996, I've been doing the weird and wonderful work of mapping out conversations and presentations for groups. Whether you call it graphic facilitation (like I do), graphic recording, scribing, visual facilitation or _______? It all fits under the umbrella of Visual Practice.
We all help our clients make positive change by supporting them with the best visual group facilitation tools.
There are so many gorgeous tools at our fingertips: Rocking flipcharts, more sophisticated use of sticky notes, incorporating specific visual models into our process… even how the tables and chairs are arranged in the room greatly influence the work being done.
Here I’m going to focus on being the one person in the room, drawing for group. You are the dedicated facilitator who is taking great care in helping your clients and participants accomplish great things. Being listened to, creating shared understanding, and helping them see and touch their work are the powers you are bringing into the room. There will upcoming courses about other juicy visual tools, and...
I've got a dynamic duo of 2 comprehensive online course all about how to be a professional graphic facilitator. These video lessons will help you:
These are the 2 powerful, comprehensive courses bundled together:
Course #1
Graphic Facilitator Confidential
In this course, our focus is the business side of this work. In most places, this work is still very new. There has been no degree program, no clear career path, no blueprint.
I am using my two-decade career to clear away confusion and give you the guidance to create your career path for yourself.
Shaping your Practice
Simplified guide to what to do FIRST, and where to go next. This is the antidote to spinning your wheels early in your business.
Finding Leads and Landing Gigs
Clear structure and concrete tips on HOW to describe your work, to WHOM, and WHAT your future clients need to know to hire YOU.
The Care and Feeding of the GF
Life on the road, your wellness and growth, and thinking long-term without burnout.
The Field Guide
The wider terrain of the work, hope to navigate the good and bad of our colleagues and finding your happy place in the field.
The Touchpoints of Impeccable Professionalism
Totally my secret sauce. Anticipating your client's and participants needs and making yourself a trusted partner through the project.
More details on what you will learn in Graphic Facilitator Confidential —
Click on each module name for full details
Video 1 | Intro + My Promise to You
- My Best Practices + Guidance
- Less confusion
- More confidence
- Faster path to success
Video 2 | Where You are On Your Path
- Brand new, seeking shape
- Established but not stable
- Stable, but not seamless
Video 3 | How to Navigate Course
Video 4 | GF Gig Map
- Brandy’s process step-by-step
Simplified guide to what to do FIRST, and where to go next. This is the antidote to spinning your wheels early in your business.
Video 1 | Intro to Module 1
Video 2 | Packing Your Practice
- Branding: Consistency builds trust
- The words you use
- The visuals you use
Video 3 | The 3 Essential Things to get started
- Beginning a business
- What you hand them when you meet them
- Your 24/7/365 hub
Video 4 | Your Site Map
- The Must Haves
- The Nice to Adds
Video 5 | The Role of Geography in Your Practice
- Small Towns
- Medium Sized Centers
- Big Cities
How to market your work to anyone. Concrete tips on HOW to describe your work, to WHOM and WHAT your future clients need to know to hire YOU.
Video 1 | Introduction to Module 2
Video 2 | Meet Johnny Appleseed
- Finding leads by planting seeds wherever you go
- Where to plant seeds
- What to do when seeds do don’t germinate
- What is and isn’t a seed
- Weekly marketing plan, i.e. how to not let marketing eat your brain
- 50+ Marketing ideas to start planning NOW
Video 3 | SMonster – Social Media Monster
- Why SM is important
- How SM will make you crazy
- How to feed the beast without getting eaten alive
Video 4 | Client Questions and How to Answer Them
- Clarifying questions
- Negotiating on fees
- Handling rejections
Video 5 | Client Said YES! Now What’s Next?!
- Following up
- Setting up a positive experience for everyone
Life on the road, your wellness and growth, and thinking long-term without burnout.
Video 1 | Introduction to Module 3
Video 2 | The Field Guide (Life on the Road)
- Prepping for the project
- Travel
- Make the hotel home
- Hitting the reset button (self-care)
Video 3 | The Life Cycle of the GF (my 2016 IFVP keynote in DC)
- What we bring into the work
- Learning Curve
- Getting off the plateau
- Avoiding burnout
- What you bring into your next work
Video 4 | Professional Development
- Your mindset shifts
- Filling your toolbox
- Connecting to Community
The wider terrain of the work, hope to navigate the good and bad of our colleagues and finding your happy place in the field.
Video 1 | Introduction to Module 4
Video 2 | Forging your own path
- No one right answer
- Experience guides you
- Making your own decisions
Video 3 | Brandy’s Success Factors
Video 4 | Defining Success for Yourself
Video 5 | How to Differentiate Yourself
- With Professionalism
- By experience
- Process focus
- Industry focus
- Unique style or use of materials
Video 6 | Lay of the Land
- Here by dragons
- Difficult terrain
- Promised Lands
Video 7 | Ethics of our work
- To your participants
- With your clients
- Between colleagues
- Code of Conduct
Totally my secret sauce. Anticipating your client's and participants needs and making yourself a trusted partner through the project.
Video 1 | First Contact
- In-person
- Online
- Word-of-Mouth
- Reaching out
Video 2 | Interest from Client
- High touch vs. High info
- Leading to Landing the Project
- Clarifying questions
- Pricing
- Negotiations
Video 3 | Landing Project
- Prep information
- Contract
- Deposit Invoice
- Tax or Vendor information
Video 4 | The Prep Call
- What to ask
- How to get what you need
Video 5 | The Project Itself
- Seamless team member
- Advocating for your role
- Expenses
Video 6 | Post-Project Delivery
- Handing off your work
- Final Deposit
- Testimonials/Portfolio
- Cultivating long-term relationship
Video 7 | Final thoughts and Your Keys to Success
Course #2
Gold Star Graphic Facilitation
Here we dive deep into the work of graphic facilitation itself. You are clearly attracted to helping others in this way; meanwhile the work can be overwhelming and confidence-shaking. Very much the companion to The Graphic Facilitatior's Guide, this comprehensive course grounds you in your role and its responsibilities. Clearing away doubts to give you the assurance you need to excel in your visual practice.
Your Guiding Principles
Going far deeper than "have paper and markers, will travel," These lessons greatly reduce your uncertainty in the work, helping you stay present and focused.
Indispensable Listening Skills
Stop treating yourself as a recording device and learn the types of listening that truly serve your clients.
Thinking in Levels and Layers
Here's where we put the thinking into visual thinking. Where you deliver the true value to the group and their work.
Keep the "-ing" in Drawing
Our work is mistakenly seen as all drawing. That is the output, sure, but this module teaches techniques AND how to keep drawing's role in the right proportion.
Being Present in the Room
How you show up to support the group is integral to not only your sense of accomplishment, but greatly influences what they accomplish and how.
More details on what you will learn in Gold Star Graphic Facilitation —
Click on each module name for emerging details. In this comprehensive companion course for The Graphic Facilitator's Guide, I go into more detail on the book's topics and share video demonstrations.
Video 1 | Introduction
- My Best Practices + Guidance
- Less confusion
- More confidence
- Faster path to success
Video 2 | Your Success Factors
- The 3 Powers of GF
- Clients are your allies
- Advocating for your role
- Practice makes progress
Video 3 | How to Navigate Course
Video 4 | GF Gig Map
- Brandy’s process step-by-step
Going far deeper than "have paper and markers, will travel," These lessons greatly reduce your uncertainty in the work, helping you stay present and focused.
Video 1 | Intro to Module 1
Video 2 | Content is King
Video 3 | Quick Like a Bunny
Video 4 | Spotlight on your work
Video 5 | The Right Tools for the Job
Stop treating yourself as a recording device and learn the types of listening that truly serve your clients.
Video 1 | Introduction to Module 2
Video 2 | You are NOT a recording device
Video 3 | Stop & Listen
Video 4 | Guide to Speakers
Video 5 | Mining for the Gems
Here's where we put the thinking into visual thinking. Where you deliver the true value to the group and their work.
Video 1 | Introduction to Module 3
Video 2 | The Chunk Hunt
Video 3 | Size of Ideas
Video 4 | The Idea Shapers at Play
Video 5 | Shape of Conversation
Video 6 | The Visual Organization Scale
Video 7 | Placing Bets with Structure
Our work is mistakenly seen as all drawing. That is the output, sure, but this module teaches techniques AND how to keep drawing's role in the right proportion.
Video 1 | Introduction to Module 4
Video 2 | Combat Iconitis
Video 3 | Every Mark has Meaning
Video 4 | The Essential 8
Video 5 | Image + Idea
Video 6 | Your Visual Vocabulary
How you show up to support the group is integral to not only your sense of accomplishment, but greatly influences what they accomplish and how.
Video 1 | Introduction to Module 5
Video 2 | Prepping for Success
Video 3 | In Your Body
Video 4 | When Things Go Sideways
Video 5 | When Things Rock
Video 6 | Being a Seamless Team Member
Video 7 | Wrapping Up the Work
Video 8 | Keeping Connected to Your Client
Now, Go Do Great Work!
More about the 2 Courses
Here's the brandyspeak version of the courses above and how they fit together. In this video:
- Importance of our work and doing it well.
- 3 sizes and function of Brandy's online courses.
- How these 2 comprehensive GF courses and a third deep-dive upcoming course fit together.
How to Order
Ready to rock and roll? Click the green button below and complete check out with major credit card or PayPal. You will see a welcome screen of next steps, and within a few minutes you will receive an email with your information to log into your account. Join me --
Graphic Facilitation Power Bundle
$3994 $2994
US DOLLARS
Transform your graphic facilitation career AND save $1000!
Instant access to the first modules in both courses. Start learning now. Modules are released over the next 4 weeks. You retain lifetime access to all lessons.
Secure payment via the following methods:
I offer a 30-day, "no-quibble" guarantee.
Contact me within 30 days of registering. I'll revoke your access to Graphic Facilitator Confidential and Gold Star Graphic Facilitation, refunding you fully.
Course Qualities
📱 Easy Access
Login and watch these video-based courses from your phone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer.
👉 Self-guided
Take these courses at your own pace. Lessons will be released over time, not all at once. You set your speed for watching, practicing, planning and putting into action what you've learned.
⏲️ Access any time
Choose the time that works for your schedule. Course is available 24/7/365.
✏️ No special tools
You only need a device to watch from, blank paper and a few pens to complete this course.
⏳ Lifetime access
Once purchased, the course stays in your personal library.
💎 Repeatable
Valuable information and easy processes that you can return to again and again.
More about what I , Brandy Agerbeck, bring to these courses --
Wow. I compiled this list to share how many different experiences that are poured into the resources I build for you.
Honestly, I look forward more than behind me. Seeing this list is darn gratifying. Here are my past experiences that have shaped me.
I share these experiences below to help you find the right shape for your visual practice:
- Starting out in an emergent market, where NO ONE has any idea what graphic facilitation is.
- Launching one of the very first GF websites in 1999.
- Beginning my path offering a menu of visual roles. I was lucky to fall straight into the work first, but it took me 7 years before I marketed this specific work well. So, I did a bit of everything.
See my services summary graphic circa 2001 to the right.
- Building my graphic facilitation practice to the point of ONLY earning income with my GF work for 12 of those years.
- Earning a six-figure income through the second decade of my work, while sticking to my vision of NOT being a road warrior, and having time for my own personal work.
- Amassing a megawatt portfolio of clients from all sectors (no, not just corporate!) and across industries.
- Leading a decade of IFVP (International Forum of Visual Practitioners) conferences, serving on the board in the early aughts. Extremely proud to help the yearly gatherings move outside of the Bay Area in California. Refined the design and co-taught the GR101 pre-conference course with the inimitable Lynn Carruthers. And delivering several keynotes.
- Opening up a three- day, intensive, small-group retreat called Loosetooth.com Lab that’s served 100 peers from 18 countries.
To the right is a shot from the second Lab, back in 2013. I'm breaking down my choices in a chart.
- Grew the field by publishing 2 well-respected and well-loved books on visual thinking: The Graphic Facilitator’s Guide in 2012 and The Idea Shapers in 2016.
- Continuing to work as the number of colleagues soared, adapting to working in a more crowded, mature market.
- Transitioning my own career from being that one person in the room drawing for the group to teaching, speaking, and writing to help everyone in the room to develop their visual thinking skills in themselves.
Lastly —
- Currently working hard and happily in my Chicago studio creating all-new, online courses to teach YOU my best practices. All lessons, demonstrations, documents, guiding principles, and models created from my on-the-ground, pioneering experience. ALL TO HELP YOU TO CREATE YOUR OWN PATH OF PROFESSIONAL VISUAL PRACTICE. And to make it FAR EASIER.
Scroll up to register and start learning with me online. I hope to see you in the course soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: ABSOLUTELY.
Let's shush the Inner Critic and help you get over your illuphobia through these programs.
Drawing is a practiced skill. If you draw like a seven year old, you likely stopped drawing when you were seven. You can always begin again.
Also, I focus on visual THINKING vs. VISUAL thinking. I teach you how to use shape, line, color, proximity, scale and other non-iconographic methods. That's where we hone our super-smarty skills of modeling, spatial reasoning and abstract thinking.
A: The core of each lesson is a video that you watch from your browser. This learning platform is optimized both for computer viewing and watching from your phone.
Log into your account at courses.loosetooth.com and click into either course (when available). As long as you can stream these short videos and you have paper and pen, you are good to go.
Some lessons have supplemental PDFs or audio files through the course. The ability to print the PDFs is useful, but not crucial to your success.
A: No worries. You have all the time you need.
While the courses will be released module-by-module over five weeks, you are granted lifetime access.
Take the course at the pace that works for you. And you're welcome to re-watch lessons any time.
A: This is definitely not a "one-hour masterclass." I get so ticked off when someone offers mastery in 60 minutes.
No.
That's BS.
To truly transform your visual thinking, you will put in time and effort.
A few tips:
- Schedule time to focus. It is so easy to start strong and then fade in your progress. Putting your growth on your calender is a key to success.
- Register with 1, 2, or 3 people to join you creating a built-in team. (And gives you greats discounts!) Many learners have said their commitment to their accountability buddies has been vital to keeping on track.
- Rather than binge-watching the lessons, I recommend watching one video and then putting it immediately into practice. Then move on to the next. This approach will make you an active learner, leading to growth; versus a passive viewer who puts in time, but doesn't get results.
- If life's other demands get in the way, feel NO guilt. You're welcome back to the course any time. Don't let feeling bad about your absence or guilt about not acting on this investment push you farther away. I don't "keep dibs" on anyone, and it's not as if you are keeping anyone waiting. Come on back when you're ready.
Again, upon registration, you have lifetime access to the course. Take in the lessons and build your skills at your own pace.
A | Maybe, Maybe not.
These two courses are absolutely geared toward being a graphic facilitator when you grow up.
But if you "listen for a living" and you need to capture what people are saying there are tons of knowledge you can transfer to your role. Gold Star Graphic Facilitation is the right course for those needs.
This is much like my book, The Graphic Facilitator's Guide which I wrote to meet the needs of more people than the book's specific job title. If the book was useful to you, Gold Star Graphic Facilitation will very likely be useful too. It is the video companion to the book.
Graphic Facilitator Confidential's lessons can definitely apply to other services-based businesses. There are lessons on pricing, contracting, networking, lead and client communications, website structure, logistics, life on the road, ethics, and professionalism.
The lessons can be applied more broadly, but the language is definitely geared towards this specific work.
You can always ask me any questions that will help you make your decision.
A: I don't know what you do or don't know, so it is hard for me to answer that. Here is some guidance.
NEW TO THE FIELD?
If you are just starting out, these courses will clear away the confusion, build your confidence, and fast track you past the years of learning project-by-project. Absolutely nothing replaces experience; these courses start you off with strong guiding principles, clear context and a more finely drawn picture of your choices.
SOME EXPERIENCE? GETTING THE HANG OF THINGS?
If you've got the basics down and are building your business, these courses will support you in growing your business, sharpening your communications, and put consistent business practices into place.
At this point, if you have said lots of "yes" to gain experience, Graphic Facilitator Confidential will help you decide what kind of work you want to say "no" to.
Gold Star Graphic Facilitation will strengthen your skills at the wall and improve your presence in the room.
If you're looking to be treated more as a partner by your client, rather than a replaceable commodity, both courses will be a big boost in your professionalism.
AS A VETERAN IN THE FIELD?
If you feel like you've got this down, the answer depends.
You likely already have learned the lessons in Gold Star Graphic Facilitation - unless you want to see your work from another perspective.
If you still feel like a commodity to your client, feel like you are "reinventing the wheel" on every project, or your business processes aren't smooth as silk, register for Graphic Facilitator Confidential.
You are welcome to ask me questions that will help you decide. And I offer a 30 day guarantee.
A: I offer a 30-day, "no-quibble" guarantee. Just contact me and let me know within 30 days of registering. I'll revoke your access to the course and refund you fully.
Because this is a pre-order special, the 30 days will run from the day the course begins to 30 days into the course.
A: Of course! If any of your questions left unanswered, Please contact Brandy and ask.
